CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
263 
bage seed on a very large scale. On the other hand, 
just as good seed has been grown in the Puget Sound 
district, in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Michi- 
gan and no doubt in other states. Soil and climatic con- 
ditions are important factors, but the skill, thoroughness 
and conscientiousness of the grower count for more than 
favorable natural conditions. It is somewhat trouble- 
some for a gardener to grow his own seed, but the plan 
is practical and is followed by a few careful gardeners. 
Good seed is largely a matter of intelligent and thorough 
roguing. 
346. Seed growing. — To make proper selection of 
plants for seed purposes the heads should be nearly ma- 
ture. A common practice among large growers is to 
sow so late in the season that only a small percentage 
of the heads will be well developed when the roguing 
is done. Such plants winter with a smaller percentage 
of loss than when more mature, but the selection is 
likely to prove unsatisfactory. The gardener should 
know the time requirements of the variety from which 
seed is to be grown and try to have the heads nearly 
mature just previous to burying. On Long Island, most 
late varieties are sown about June 15, while those of the 
Wakefield type are not started until August. These 
dates for sowing would be too late for most northern 
states. The plants should not be grown in excessively 
rich soils, for very large heads do not winter well. 
The roguing should be done as late as possible, dis- 
carding all heads not typical of the variety. Thorough 
winter protection must be given to both roots and tops. 
The plants may be buried where they were grown and 
the covering removed the following spring. In this way 
a crop of seed may be produced without two transplant- 
ings ; but the more approved plan is to lift the plants and 
bury before there is danger of hard freezing weather. 
Various methods are used in providing winter protec- 
